Thursday 26 March 1953 (cont) search out the land and arrange for carriers. He will be away 2 weeks. Out jacking tonight for a couple of hours. Shot one frogmouth; and David caught one frog. Went N. thru the coconut and sago palm plantations. Ken has just come in out of the rain—he was sleeping in his hammock. David and I strung bat net today near house between two coconut trees. Had warm bath (poured from a cup) after jacking. Pleasant breeze. Temp over 80°. Boat came in to Baniara today—runner may bring mail down to Menapi tomorrow. Heavy rain and thunder and lightning after went to sleep. Friday 27 March Menapi. 10:30 P.M. Have just had my hot "shower" after a couple of hours of jacking down the Baniara trail. I spotted and shot a cuscus ♂ in a tree tangle. Also a Dobsonia. David shot a Petaurus. Earlier in evening I noticed bats flying back and forth just outside the veranda. So I started shooting parallel with house (after dark). Did not think I got any, but looked anyway and there was our first bent-winged bat (Miniopterus) ! Shifted net now between house and my work fly. Today we skinned the 2 bandicoots and 1 small bat. The B's were tender-skinned as usual; Q slipped a little. David is doing very well. Ken went off on Mr. Spiller's boat "Ruru". Back in 2 weeks. We walked down on beach to see him on board. "Ruru" is a copra pick up and trade boat. Mail came from Baniara by runner. Still no mail from home. Letter from Mr. Milne (Royal Bank—Medellin)—also one from Srt. Velez. (100 shares of "Tobaco" bought at 30 pesos. Balance will be used to buy a few more shares.) Shifted trap lines about today. Still have 125 out. Geoff's boys made a record haul of frogs today. I caught a small red-tailed lizard. Can hear wing beats of flying foxes in tree next to house. Outrigger with old man and woman put in here this A.M. Bought 2 pineapples and 2 paw paws for 8 sticks of trade tob. Pineapple for lunch—delicious. Saturday 28 March Menapi. 1 Melomys in trap line. New for collection. A tiny little boy brought me 2 mice (Mus) vine attached to a hind leg of each. Gave him a cracker. Another village boy brought me 2 young but large rodents. And finally native came in with small brown & white rat—also tied to vine—says it comes from wrapped banana stalk (still attached). Skinned all A.M. (David); cleaned skulls—showed Lik Lik how. Isilele was getting practice doing cuscus feet. Will come in handy in the mts. Tonight was one of those nights: we fired at 3 squirrels & did not get one. For the last David went up coconut tree with 2 feet in strap & climbed in & around fronds & nuts (not an easy job). I shot a yellow-mantled Pteropus . David had light coming in & spotted a tiny blossom bat under coconut frond. Shot & missed. Moon almost full. No small bats shot tonight. Kim made bread—excellent. Had visit before dinner from Father Chisholm & Miss Kinear. Bishop due tomorrow. Geoff and I walked down to visit Bill Mason for a few minutes. Met his partner's wife, Mrs. Spiller—a native Papuan. Very pleasant. Len strained back and could not go out today—boys brought in a few plants. 3 foot Goanna in one of boy's traps. Boys still singing—their favorite pass- time. Very pleasant tonight.